Work on a new medical facility could begin at the end of this year.

A £10.3 million healthy living centre is due to open in the Pentagon in Chatham.

Councillors hope to build on the successful use of part of the building as a mass vaccination centre.

The facility in the former DW Sports store closed on Saturday, April 16. It had been running since March last year.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, which ran the operation, said at the time of opening the centre would be able to jab 2,000 people a day.

Medway Council's portfolio holder for resources, Cllr Adrian Gulvin (Con), said it was "fortuitous" the authority – which owns the shopping centre – had been keeping DW Sports empty as plans got under way for a new healthy living centre. The project was officially announced in February.

The Walderslade representative, who received his Covid jabs at the Pentagon, said management there expects the new facility to result in a million centre visits a year and a project board will be meeting next month.

He hopes builders will be on site by the end of the year and added the vaccination centre provided a much-needed increase in footfall following lockdown, with centre businesses reporting a boost in trade.

He said: "It was very much a win-win. Not only were we able to provide a vaccination centre right in the middle of the town with good connections with the bus station and parking, but it did definitely benefit the Pentagon as well.

"It definitely had a positive impact I'm pleased to say.

"Of course, you can't guarantee the people are going to go and shop, but there's a good chance that they will if you've got the footfall."

Medway director of public health James Williams said: “I would like to thank everyone at the vaccination centre in the Pentagon for their tremendous hard work and help.

"I would like to reassure residents they will still be able to get vaccinated at local sites, close to their homes.

"As we learn to live with the virus, it is important we get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

"I would encourage anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to take up the offer, it isn’t too late.

"If you have been vaccinated, and you are eligible, make sure you get your booster jab.”

The team of volunteers were nominated for a Pride in Medway Award.